What they do have in common are two schools with tons of college
football tradition – regardless of classification – and
the intensity and atmosphere fans and participants will remember
for a lifetime.

Another brick was laid in the battle for the Victory Bell in
Franklin, Ind., when the Franklin Grizzles took on the Hanover
Panthers. Franklin and Hanover have played against each other since
1898. For the second time in three years, the Heartland Collegiate
Athletic Conference title was on the line.

“When I took the job here, I promised these guys that they
will get to play in championship games,” said first-year
coach Steve Baudendistel. Baudendistel is a Hanover alumnus and
played in the Victory Bell game as a player. “If things stay
the way they are, this game may be for the championship every
single year and they might as well get ready for that. This game
will mean something special to them.”

In the end, No. 16 Franklin won the game 58-29, the most
combined points both teams have scored in the history of the
rivalry. It was Franklin’s eighth consecutive win in the
Victory Bell game, but that has not diminished the contest in the
eyes of fans and players.

Tailgating tents crowded the grounds outside of Faught Stadium.
Hanover fans set up tailgate tents on the opposite side the stadium
from Franklin tailgate tents. Both sides of the stadium were packed
with fans by kickoff time. The crowd and occasion was not lost on
the players.

“Starting on Monday, pamphlets were passed out making sure
we’re reminded about the rich history of the rivalry between
Franklin and Hanover,” said Kyle Linville, Franklin wide
receiver to scored two touchdowns Saturday. “We normally have
a great atmosphere here for the games here, but the fans seem to
step it up another notch for this game. It’s already a great
game without the championship, but having the title on the line
just adds to it. It’s something you’ll remember
forever.”

Hanover’s All-American wide receiver Daniel Passafiume
finished his stellar career with most of the Panthers receiving
records. His 343 career catches is the fifth most in NCAA history,
all divisions. As he left the field Saturday, he admitted that it
stung that he never beaten Franklin in the Victory Bell game.

“This is your rivalry game and who doesn’t get
excited about it and want to win it,” Passafiume said.
“It’s one of the old rivalry games and will always be a
big rivalry. It hurts not to win just one and you know it does. But
I will always remember the teammates and friends I’ve made
along the way.”

Franklin coach Mike Leonard, who turned the Grizzlies program
around six years ago into a consistent winner, said much of what
Franklin wants to achieve often comes down to the Victory Bell
game.

“It was a fun day,” Leonard said. “These games
are always special and we played for the championship in this game
two years ago. We have basically four goals this season and we
knocked out three of those with this win.”

Baudendistel said there is also the challenge of managing your
emotions in a big rivalry game. He said he hopes this team will get
better at it over time.

“They need to remember what it feels like today to
motivate them and get into the gym,” Baudendistel said.
“I’m proud of these guys and the way they hung in there
today. “They need to understand, though, the emotions of
games like this and stay focused. This is the second time
we’ve played for a championship in a game like this. The next
time we’re in this situation, we’ll have more guys
who’ve been through it and we’ll be ready
mentally.”

Midwest playoffs quick hits

No. 14 North Central (8-2) at No. 8 Cal Lutheran
(8-1)

North Central bounced back after the Little Brass Bell loss to
rival Wheaton to defeat Augustana to grab a share of the CCIW title
and take the conference’s automatic bid.

"We play each season for our seniors,” said North Central
coach John Thorne. “This isn't the largest group of seniors
we've had, but they've worked very hard and they've been through a
lot, and we didn't want all that effort to go to waste. We really
wanted to win that championship for them and keep this great run of
conference titles going. We've tied the second-longest run of
consecutive CCIW championships, so our next goal will be to tie
Augustana, who won eight in a row back in the ’80s."

No. 16 Franklin (8-2) at Adrian (9-1)

After opening the season with losses to No. 1 Mount Union and
FCS non-scholarship Butler, Franklin dominated the Heartland
Collegiate Athletic Conference, averaging 49.6-points per game
along the way. They will be challenged by the Michigan
Intercollegiate Athletic Association champion that traditionally
stays strong defense.

“I’m sure (the Victory Bell game) will give us a lot
of momentum,” Mike Leonard said. “We can’t
control who we plays, we just looking forward to it. I told our
team that our defense has been playing really well but our offense
has been turning the ball over. Against Hanover it was flipped
where we didn’t turn the ball over and converted some key
third downs but the defense gave up some yardage. If we can put
those together against a tough playoff team we’re going to be
okay.”

No. 21 Bethel (8-2) at Concordia-Chicago
(10-0)

After knocking at the door for three previous seasons, coach
Lonnie Pries’ team finally knocked it down with the
school’s first undefeated season since 1937. The Cougars were
rewarded with a home playoff game against a very good Bethel
team.

"We all feel very blessed to be part of such a special season
and be able to experience the thrill of going to the playoffs for
the first time,” Pries said. “It's exciting and
humbling to hear about all of our alumni and long-time fans paying
close attention to what's going on with us. God has blessed us with
a great group of players and outstanding leadership from our
seniors."

St. Norbert (8-2) at No. 4 St. Thomas
(10-0)

St. Norbert lost to Monmouth on Sept. 29 and spent all season
look up at Lake Forest in the Midwest Conference standings until
the Green Knights beat the Foresters 20-10 last week to get into
the playoffs and grab a share of the conference title. St. Norbert
will battle St. Thomas in the first round.

“It’s special because of the kids and what we had to
do to get this,” said St. Norbert coach Jim Purtill.
“This was a hard-fought season. It’s been a dog fight
and I’m very proud of our kids for staying the course and
believing in each other and being a team and getting the job done.
It’s tremendous for them.”

No. 17 Elmhurst (9-1) at No. 10 Coe (10-0)

The Bluejays are the biggest surprise in the playoff picture,
getting out of the rough and tumble CCIW with a share of the
conference title. Elmhurst has the tall order of upholding the
CCIW’s reputation of being a tough out in the playoffs. They
will likely to continue to count on its running again, behind
Scottie Williams, who was second in the country in rushing this
year, averaging a little over 170 yards per game.

"I am extremely proud of our seniors for everything they have
accomplished this season,” Elmhurst coach Tim Lester said.
“This 9-1 season and playoff berth is a huge step for our
program. Our administration and my assistant coaches did a
great job to put our team in a position to be successful. Our
seniors and our squad went out and competed every second of every
game."

Clyde Hughes has been writing sports at various times over the past 24 years, covering everything from high school, college and sporting events. A native of football-crazed Texas, Hughes works in Indiana and has written for numerous newspapers and magazines.2003-04 columnist: John Regenfuss